The saga of Grandview UMC’s journey away from The United Methodist Church continues.
Just days after the congregation voted by a 96 percent margin to leave the denomination, documented on United Methodist Methodist Insight, Grandview’s lead pastor, the Rev. Andrea Brown, issued a public statement about the church’s decision. In a letter posted on Lancaster Online, Rev. Brown wrote:
“Why would we do this? Maybe a metaphor suggested by one of our lay people, Micah France, would help to explain:
“If God is a giant sailboat on which we are passengers, we are recognizing that our connection to The United Methodist Church, though it remains meaningful to us, is acting more like an anchor, keeping us bobbing in place, rather than like the wind of the Spirit, blowing us forward in faith.
“… The possibility of leaving our home port comes with many mixed emotions. We have been part of the UMC for 75 years. So there is some grief. If the congregation departs, it will seek to retain ties with mission it continues to value, such as the work of the General Commission on Religion & Race (which also supports disability ministries) and United Methodist Women.
“Now, in open waters, there can be stormy seas, but we know that God is present, even in storms, and in fact that God speaks out of the whirlwind (Job 38:1) as well as in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12). God can even calm rough waters at the right time (Mark 4:35-41).”
Grandview isn’t the first, nor is it likely to be last, local congregation to decide that it doesn’t see a future in remaining connected with United Methodism. So stay tuned.
Media Mentions as of Feb. 13
LGBTQ News: Proposed United Methodist Church Split, Bills Targeting Transgender Youth, And ... –mwgbh.org
United Methodist Group Enlists Ministers to Perform LGBTQ Marriages – Christianheadlines.com (blog)
Gay protesters, a Texan's compromise and the schism that may upend United Methodism –Houston Chronicle
Choosing their future course – Dalles Chronicle
'Any more division is sad:' Methodists react to possible split over LGBT inclusion – KATV
Series offered on LGBTQ issue – The Mountaineer
Methodist minister at George Mason University could face discipline over officiating a same-sex ... – Washington Post
Holding out hope for unity in United Methodism – The Pacer
Dispute over same-sex marriages threatens unity of church – Camarillo Acorn
The Methodist split: Who proposed it and who should bear the burden – THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
Patagonia Pastor sides with LGBTQ on Gay Marriage Issue that Could Split United Methodist Church – Orange Street News (blog)
Who keeps the church? As United Methodists face splits over LGBTQ issues, property disputes ... – The Tennessean
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.